I have to say that I am no longer all that optimistic about the future for several reasons. First, we have growing inequality that is going to get worse with increased automation. All that power does us no good if we have no income to buy it, or the goods it produces. The masses in developed countries are clearly feeling this, but misdiagnosing the situation by blaming immigrants and the poor and then voting for people like Trump and Brexit. Second, media, government, and business all seem to have largely aligned to ensure that inequality will grow in order for those at the top to have even more. The EU creates lots of economic issues for member countries that US states don't suffer from as much. Yet instead of fixing these issues, EU leaders demand austerity and, in essence, blame the poor. Third, the internet and large media companies bent on pushing a political agenda has increased the polarization of the public. Fourth, real problem analysis, along with the evaluation of possible solutions is largely absent from most policy making and public discussion. We can't even have rational discussions about how to frame problems anymore, much less solve them. At least in the US, there seems to be a real problem with Americans actually spending time to try to understand issues. Most prefer to watch sports and reality TV shows. I don't think that bodes well for the future.

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